Have you ever wondered how Mother’s Day started and why people celebrate this occasion?

Mother’s Day—also known as Mothering Sunday, is observed differently throughout the world to honor motherhood and mother figures. Some think it was created to sell greeting cards and flowers, an act of consumerism. However, the story behind it seems to be much more captivating, especially for those dedicated to the well-being of their families and communities. 

The Influence of the Jarvis

The official Mother’s Day began in the United States of America. Among the most influential figures in the development of Mother’s Day as a formal holiday was Ann Marie Jarvis, also known as ‘Mother Jarvis,’ a social activist from West Virginia.

Following the Civil War, Jarvis organized Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues and promote unity among mothers. In 1868, she took the initiative to heal the bitter rifts between her Confederate and Union neighbors.

“I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day,” Ann Jarvis said.’’

Her daughter, Anna Jarvis, was only twelve years old in 1878 when she listened to her mother teach a Sunday school lesson on mothers in the Bible.

Following her mother’s death in 1905, Anna Jarvis later advocated for the establishment of a memorial for Mother’s Day, gaining support from notable figures such as President Taft and John Wanamaker. 

By 1907, Mother’s Day observances took place in West Virginia and Philadelphia, initiating its proliferation nationwide and globally. President Wilson’s signing of a Congressional Resolution in 1914 solidified Mother’s Day as an official national holiday.

Mother’s Day reflects on the myriad ways in which women nurture their families, communities, and nations.

As the world continues to revolve, Mother’s Day persists and continues to honor women’s contributions as it did in its inception. Much like the multifaceted role of mothering, Mother’s Day embodies diversity. 

Mother’s Day is something that happens once a year. Normally, it’s something that we would observe on every second Sunday of the month of May. However, in different parts of their world–there are some countries that tend to commemorate Mother’s Day with their own ways and on their own dates. 

Celebrating mother’s day

Mother’s Day is observed in over 50 countries with it’s international date being commemorated on the second sunday of May and as for this year’s Mother’s Day—it is marked on everyone’s calendar to be celebrated on May 12.

However, there are some countries that celebrate Mother’s Day in a different with United Kingdom celebrating this year’s Mother’s Day in advance last March 10 due to it being rooted in the Christian observance of Lent. 

Another example of this was in Thailand, on where they are to celebrate this year’s Mother’s Day on August 12–marking the birthday of her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. 

Normally on Mother’s Day, most of us tend to go out and eat in a restaurant along with our family or if not, one would just cook a special dish at home and make it incredibly special in order to make the celebration extraordinary.  

19-year-old Aj shared her story on celebrating mother’s day within their household. From the past years, she shared how they would normally stay and get all the chores done to let their mother rest. 

Meanwhile, before the day ends—her father usually comes home with the gifts to be given to their ilaw ng tahanan

“We would usually just stay home and let our mom rest from all the household chores she does.” Aj said. 

“By the time our father gets home, which is usually at the end of the day, he would give our mom a bouquet and chocolates and for the rest of the night, we would just eat the chocolates together and talk.” She added.

Aj’s mom usually insists on doing nothing every year but for this year’s mother’s day, Aj’s parents plan to go on a date alone.

“My mother and father are planning on going on a date alone, my father somehow talked my mom into it.” 

Meanwhile Aj also had her own plans to show appreciation to her mother this coming Mother’s Day. “I am planning on buying my mother some of her favorite snacks, like a comfort package!”

With reports from Naomi Ferwelo